Gilbert Oechler

Gilbert Oechler, 89, was born unto eternal life on Thursday, May 28, 2015.  He passed from this life surrounded by his loving family, peacefully and with the assurance of eternal life with Christ Jesus, at United Hospital System – St. Catherine’s Hospital.

Gilbert ‘Gil’ Oechler was born in Kenosha on March 10, 1926, to the late Henry B. and Hedwig “Hattie” E.  (Blinten) Oechler.  For some unknown reason, Gilbert was not given a middle name and that was a conversation point throughout his life. He was a lifelong resident of Kenosha and a 1943 graduate of Kenosha High School.

After high school on March 7, 1944 during WWII, he enlisted into the United States Army Air Force.  He attained the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged on May 12, 1946.  Gil did not go overseas, but was in California waiting to deploy to Japan when the Japanese surrendered.  Gil by then had traveled across the United States to approximately 14 military bases training and preparing for B-29 missions.  His fear of flying did not prevent him from wanting to be in the Air Force.  However, Gil’s need for glasses prevented him from becoming the pilot he wanted to be. On June 7, 2014 Gil was honored to be on the Wisconsin Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

For 42 years, Gil worked for American Motors, retiring in 1985 as a General Foreman in the Engine Division.  He was a General Forman and Supervisor for many of his years.  After retirement, Gil was a Consultant for Chrysler in Beijing, China, working at the newly built Jeep factory.  In addition, Gil and his wife Edna opened and operated the Uptown Laundromat from 1955-1963.  During this time Gil also served as President of the Kenosha Uptown Business Association in 1958 and 1959.

He was a lifelong member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church and he served his Savior and the congregation in many capacities throughout his life.  He was adopted into the family of God in the waters of Christian baptism on April 4, 1926 and on May 21, 1939 Gil publicly confessed his faith in Christ in the rite of Christian Confirmation.  He attended and graduated from Friedens Elementary School in 1940.

Friedens is where Gil met his future wife Edna, but they did not date until high school.  On April 12, 1947 at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church, he was joined in Christian marriage to Edna Laura Rosentreter.

Gil was also a lifelong member of the Lutheran church men’s club, The Kenwis Club, and loved planning and working many of their events including The Kenwis Club Sauerkraut Supper and many more Christian fellowship events.

Gil loved to watch and listen to the Green Bay Packers and enjoyed many games in person with his buddies at Milwaukee County Stadium and Lambeau Field. He wore his Packer Super Bowl Jacket proudly. Earlier in life Gil golfed, but his main hobby was bowling.  As was his pattern in life, Gil was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Bowlers Association of Wisconsin.  He was honored in 2003 for his 63 years of participation starting in 1939 and only missing during the war. Gil held all leadership positions; President from May, 1974 to May, 1975, State Secretary and Treasurer, May, 1984 to September, 1989.  He was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the association.

Gil traveled extensively throughout the United States and as well as visiting 5 of the 7 continents.

Gilbert is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Edna; their children, Kristine (Bobby) Huffman of Louisville, KY and  Jan (Donald Kirschbaum) Oechler-Kirschbaum of Pleasant Prairie; his three grandchildren, Bobby Glen Huffman, Jr., Dana Catelyn and Jordyn Elizabeth Kirschbaum; his three great-grandchildren, Lindsey, Bobby Glen the third (III) and Brett Gilbert Huffman; his brothers, Marvin (Beverly) and Richard (Virginia) Oechler both of Kenosha; his sister in-law Elaine Bergman in San Diego, CA; and by many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gilbert was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Oechler; his father and mother-in-law, Kristof and Bertha Rosentreter; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Doris (Oechler) Buening, Irvin and Frieda (Rosentreter) Kaddatz and William Bergman.

The Oechler family wishes to thank the numerous Doctors, Nurses, Physical Therapists and Staff Members that cared for Gil during his many visits at Grande Prairie Health and Rehab Center, United Hospital System – St. Catherine’s Hospital, The Veteran’s Administration and Froedtert Hospital and Rehab.  We’d also like to thank his church family and the Reverends David Rockhoff and Michael Gorte, for their very faithful and blessed visitation ministry.